Aids and adaptations
Grants are currently available to homeowners and private tenants who require adaptations to continue living in their homes.
You can apply if you are a homeowner, or if you part own your home through a shared ownership or shared equity scheme. You can also apply if you are a private tenant, (you will need to get the landlord's permission to get the work done, but they can't turn down your request without a good reason).
What kind of work can I get a grant for?
The council has to award you a grant if the work is essential to enable the person to continue living in the property, and:
- you're adapting a home for a person who has a disability, and;
- the property is the person's only or main home, and;
- the property doesn't have a sink, bath, shower or washbasin without or cold water, a toilet that isn't shared with any other households, and you want to install one or more of these amenities that will meet the needs of the person, or;
- the home already has the hygiene and washing amenities listed above but the person isn't able to use one or more of them, or;
- the work is structural or involves making permanent changes to the house but does not involve:
- extending the home to create extra living space, or
- creating accommodation in a separate building (for example, converting a separate garage to a bedroom).
Please note it is up to the council to decide whether or not an adaptation is essential: this is decided as part of the community care assessment process.
Housing Options
- If the layout of your home will not allow for the necessary adaptation to be carried out or,
- If your property, after adaptations are carried out, will not offer you a long term sustainable home or,
- If the proposed adaptations do not offer best value,
It is recommended that you consider the alternative housing options available to you. South Ayrshire Council has a Housing Options Service that can provide you with a range of information. For further information please contact:
The Housing Options Service
80/88 Kyle Street
AYR
Tel: 0300 123 0900
Where can I get an assessment of my household's needs?
If you are applying for a grant for adaptation, the council must carry out an assessment of the needs of the person with the disability within your household. This assessment will be carried out by a Community Care Occupational Therapist.
To request an assessment or further information, please contact the:
Community Care Occupational Therapy Team
Tel: 0300 123 0900
How much grant could I get?
If you've applied for a grant to adapt your home for a person with a disability, or reinstate an adapted home, you'll get 80% of the approved expense, however if you or anyone else in your household receives any of the following benefits, you will get 100% of the approved expense.
- universal credit
- income support
- income-based jobseeker's allowance
- pension credit (guarantee element)
- income-related employment and support allowance
The following people count as being part of your household:
- your husband, wife or civil partner;
- any of your dependents, or people on whom you depend (for example, your children or parents);
- anyone else who lives with you or will be living with you when the work is done.
How do I apply for a grant?
Once your household has been assessed by a Community Care Occupational Therapist as requiring an aid and/or adaptation, you will be provided with the relevant forms.
If you require any assistance to complete forms or have any queries about applying for a grant please telephone 0300 123 0900 and ask for 'Housing grants'.
Or you can e-mail [email protected].
